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By Daniel Roth Occupied Palestinian Territories Activism Coordinator Today I climbed a hill. Together with a group of 20 Rabbis for Human Rights volunteers, we made our way to a Palestinian olive grove not far from the village of Awarta, which is literally and figuratively is shadowed over by Itamar, a settlement in the occupied West Bank. We were there for the same reason that we have gone out (and will continue to go out) nearly everyday since the beginning of the month: To support Palestinian olive farmers who face daily violence and ongoing oppression under occupation. We come because this system of occupation, which aims to deny Palestinians their basic right to harvest their olives continues. Israeli imposd restrictions limits, the time that the farmers can spend in the grove. This means that a harvest that should take days to complete can take weeks or more. Our presence not only expresses our solidarity but also our desire to help them with the harvest itself. Similarly, we go out to the groves because sometimes our presence can deter violence from settlers or soldiers. Not today. . - Today settlers again attacked Palestinians including children, RHRs workers, and volunteers.
- Today, soldiers again did the bear minimum in the face of settler violence.
- Today Palestinians again were denied their right to livelihood, to celebrate with family and friends in their fields and
- Today they were again pushed off their own land by state-sanctioned violence.
The bodily harm caused by pepper spray can sound minor to those who have never seen or felt the pain as it burns your eyes and your skin. The harm, both physical and emotional is lasting. It marks us all, but not in the way these settler-terrorists intend. As we were getting ready to leave this afternoon my coworker, with eyes still burning from the pepper spray, looked at me and said, "I am not afraid. We'll continue this work no matter what." Indeed, their violence cannot stop the growing movement for a just peace and self-determination. It will not deter us from joining in the call for Palestinian freedom. We will continue this work and we will prevail. |